Suction line for storage tanks



July 17, 1934. J. G. STEELE SUCTION LINE FOR STORAGE TANKS 2 Sheets-Sheet ln/vento@ C (PMM Filed July 14, 1932 July 17, 1934. J. G. STEELE SUCTION LINE FOR STORAGE TANKS Filed July 14, 1932 2 Sheets-Shea?I 2 gwwnto k/OH/v 'G STEELE Patented `uly 17, 1934 1,966,998 SUCTION LINE FOR STORAGE TANKS John G. Steele, Latrobe, Pa.

i, This invention relates to suction lines for storage tanks, and more particularly to a suction line assembly for underground gasoline storage tanks.

As is well known, it is the common practice to place gasoline and other liquid fuel storage tanks beneath the surface of the ground, and to provide dispensing pumps arranged on the surface of the ground connected to the storage tanks by suitable suction lines. Such tanks usually are provided at one end with a filling pipe and at their centers with vent pipes for carrying o evaporated gases, the suction line being arranged at the opposite en'd of the tank. In 'the case of larger tanks, two suction lines are provided-to l5 permit the dispensing of the fuel from a plurality of pumps. f

Such installations are necessary for various reasons, such as the economy in space provided by burying the tanks, as well as the safety'in 2O arranging tanks of combustible fuels below the surface of the ground. These installations, however, are subject to a great disadvantage due to the occasional failure of the suction line. It is the common practice '25 downwardly vertically into the tank by employing a depending pipe having a foot valve at its lower end. With the automatic measuring pumps in common use, it is essential that the foot valve operate perfectly, otherwise the fuel will not be properly measured. Regardless of any precautions which may be taken, a certain amount of foreign material finds its way into vthe tank and sometimes accumulates around the 1 foot valve seats, thus preventing the valve from properly seating.

Measuring pumps are subject to frequent inspections by sealers of weights and measures, and

" are sealed against use if any inaccuracy in measuring is found. Such inaccuracies are nearly always due to defective operation of the foot valves, and under such conditions it is necessary to excavate the ground around the tank to withdraw the lower end of the suction line-from the tank to clean, repair or replace'the foot valve.`

an apparatus of this character Such a failure in due to the cost of excavation is quite expensive and the loss of An important object lof the present invention is to provide a novel form of suction line assembly for storage' tanks which permits the foot valve to be removed and replaced in a few minutes without the necessity for the usual excavation.

A further object is tov provide an apparatus of the character referred to which includes the to project the suction line business to the wholesaler andnates a liquid storage Application `uly 14, 1932, Serial No. 622,528 13 Claims. l(Cl. 220-85) use of a sleeve extending upwardly to the surface of the ground and through from. the tank which the foot valve and its associated pipe mayl be readily removed.

A further object is structure of such character as to provide a suction line to minimize `the collection of foreign material on the foot valve seats, thus rendering the operation of this device more positive and accurately A further the character referred uniform. object is to provide a structure of to which permits the connection of the vent pipe thereto, thus eliminating the necessity for a separate eonnnection between the vent pipe and the tank.

A further object is to provide a vertical sleeve 7 structure extending from the tank to the surface of the ground and through which the'foot valve is adapted to be removed, and to provide means for exhausting the air from the sleeve to prevent the presence of the air in structure the sleeve structure from interfering with the proper accurate operation of the measuring pump.

A further Objectis to provide a structure of the character referred to having means for co1- lecting sediment to prevent it from flowing downwardly into the foot valve, and to provide a struc-y ture of such character Other objects and advantages as to minimize the agitation of the collected sediment.

of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following description.

In the drawings I have shownnne embodiment of the invention. In this showing,

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view through a fuel storage tank showing it embedded in the "ground, the suctionlline and other nections, and a portion of the pump,v

in elevation,

piping conbeing shown Figure 2 is an enlargedvertical sectional view of the sleeve assembly and associated elements,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of the upper end of the larged, and showing position, and,

Figure 4 is a Figure 2. Referring to instance asa gasoline pipe 11 communicates with one and extends-from surrounding ground 12. extends from the filler pipe tank to a. point near the bottom sleeve assembly, further enthe air vent screw in open transverse section on line 4-4 of 100 Figure 1, the numeral 10 desigtank shown in the presenttank, and this tank is of ythe usual or any desired construction. A filler end of the tank the tank to the surface of the A depending pipe 13 downwardly into the thereof to minimize the generation of gases incident to the agitation of the fuel while the tank is being filled. Ordinarily, the tank is provided centrally thereof with a vent pipe for carrying away generated gases, but the conventional type of vent pipe is eliminated in the present construction in a manner to be referred to.

A casing or sleeve 14 extends from the tank to the surface of the groundand is threaded at its lower end as at 15 for connection with a collar 16 ofthe usual type secured to the top of the tank. The tank is provided with an opening 17 registering with the lower end of the sleeve 14, as will be apparent.

Referring to Figure 2, it will be noted that the sleeve 1 4 is cylindrical throughout the greater portion of its length, a portion of the lower end of the sleeve being tapered as at 18 to decrease in diameter downwardly. Adacent the lower end or the cylindrical portion of the sleeve, aninternai tapered seat 19 is provided, for a purpose to be described. This seat obviously is arranged a substantial distance above the tank, and beneath the seat, the sleeve 14 is provided with an internally threaded boss 20 to which is connected the inner end of a nipple 21. A union 22 connects the nipple to one end of a vent pipe 23, and this pipe is led to any suitable point for the safe disposal of gases passing therethrough. Obviously the vent pipe communicates with the interior of the tank through the lower end of the casing 14 and the opening 17. y

A depending suction pipe 24 extends through the bottom of the casing 14 and into the tank 10 to a point adjacent the bottom thereof, and the lower end of the pipe 24 is provided with any suitable form of foot valve indicated as a whole by the numeral 25. Obviously the foot valve operates as a check valve to maintain the head of fuel in the pipe 24 and the various connections of this pipe, to be described.

A feed pipe 26 is arranged within the sleeve 14 and is provided at its lower end with a circular head 27 which is only suillcientlysmaller than the cylindrical portion of the sleeve 14 to provide clearance to permit the pipe 16 to be freely moved upwardly. A valve facing 28 is arranged against the tapered lower face of the head 27, and this head is provided with a depending cylindrical portion 29 with which the facing 28 engages to maintain it in proper position with respect to the h ead 27. The facing 28 forms, in effect, a seat engageable with the valve seat 19, and is formed of a suitable composition which is resistant to the particular material in the tank 10.

The sleeve 14 is provided with a plurality of internally threaded bosses 30 arranged in a common plane at right angles to the axis of the sleeve 14 and spaced a substantial distance above the head 27. In.the present instance, only two of the bosses 30 have been illustrated, one being closed by a plug 31 and the other being shown connected to a. nipple 32'. 'I'his nipple is connected by a union 33 to a pipe 34. 'I'he pipe 34, in turn, leads to any conventional type of dispensing pump mechanism 35, usually of the automatic measuring type.

Only one of the bosses 30 is shown as being utilized as a liquid outlet means, but it will be apparent that a dispensing pump may be connected to each of the bosses instead of one of the bosses being closed by the plug 31. It also will be apparent that in the case of larger tanks 10, the sleeve 14 may be provided with additional bosses 30 for connection with additional dispensing pumps.

'Ihe upper face of the head 27 is horizontal and is of a size substantially corresponding to the internal diameter of the sleeve 14, only sufficient clearance being provided to permit upward movement of the head 27, as stated. Accordingly, the upper face of the head 27 is adapted to support sediment collecting thereon in a manner to be described, and inasmuch as the nipple 32 is arranged a substantial distance above the head 27, the latter element forms the bottom of a sediment trap or pocket 35. As will become apparent, the sediment collects during the pumping of the liquid and is prevented from flowing downwardly through the pipe 24, and thus tends to prevent the collection of foreign material on the seats of the foot valve 25.

The upper end of the pipe 24 is threaded in the depending end 29 of the head 27 and communicates with the lower end of the pipe 26, as clearly shown in Figure 2. The pipe 26 is provided with rows of circumferentially spaced openings 36 through which fuel flows into the sleeve 14. It will be apparent that all of the openings 36 are arranged above the level of the nipple 32.

The upper end of the sleeve 14 is offset outwardly as at 37 to provide a shoulder or seat 38. A cap or plug 39 is threaded in the upper end of the sleeve'l4 and is provided with an enlarged upper end beneath which is arranged a suitable composition gasket 40 en gaging against the seat 38 to provide an air-tight joint. A suitable wrench receiving opening 4l is formed in the upper face of the cap 39. On its lower face the cap 39 carries a boss 42 in which is threaded the upper end of a rigid rod 43. A tapered centering plug 44 is slidable on the lower end of the rod 33 and is provided at its upper end with an annular iiange 45 engaging the upper end of the pipe 26. A nut 46 is threaded on the lower end of the rod 43 to support the plug 44 on the rod when the cap 39 is removed, and the nut 46 is normally arranged slightly beneath the plug 44 as shown in Figure 2. A spring 47 of the compression type surrounds the rod 43 between the lower face of the cap 39 and the upper face of the plug 44, and accordingly urges the latter member downwardly.

The upper end of the sleeve 14 isclosed to the atmosphere, and means is provided for permitting the escape of air from the upper end of the sleeve 14 when the apparatus is initially operated to prevent the sleeve from acting as an air trap. In this connection, it has been found that measuring pumps are dependent for their operation on the absence of air in the suction line, and if the upper end of the sleeve 14 is permitted to act as an air trap, the measuring pump cannot accurately function. Referring to Figures 2 and 3, 135

the numeral 48 designates an opening drilled through the bottom of the cap 39 and communicating at its upper end with a somewhat larger opening 49 receiving a screw 50. The upper end of the threaded opening is counter-sunk as at 51 l 'to receive the head of the screw so that the latter provide M5 53 is closed to communica- 150 repair tion with the atmosphere when the screw is in the normal position shown in Figure 2. i

The operation of the apparatus is as follows:

The storage tank is lled in the usual manner through the pipes l1 and 13, the latter having its lower end arranged in the fuel to minimize the generation of gas due to the agitation of the fuel as the tank is being filled. The tank is vented to the atmosphere through the vent pipe 23, and this pipe communicates with the tank through the bottom of the sleeve 14 and the opening 17, the structure referred to permitting the elimination of the added vent pipe connection which ordinarily is necessary.

The measuring pump is operated in the usual manner to dispense the fuel, the various elements between the foot valve 25 and the pump constituting a suction line through which the fuel flows to the pump to be dispensed thereby. As previously stated, the operation of the measuring pump is dependent upon the suction line being completely filled with liquid, and accordingly the initial operation of the apparatusrequires the removal of the air from the upper end ofthe sleeve 14. Accordingly the pump is initially operated to fill the suction line, whereupon the screw 50 is backed out a sulcient extent to aiord communication between the sleeve 14 and the atmosphere through the port 48, opening 49, and passages 52 and 53. vThe accumulated head of liquid in the pump fiow's back through the pipe 34 into the casing 14 until all of the air has been exhausted from the sleeve 14, and when the fuel starts to flow out of the opening 53, the screw 50 is then tightened to cut off communication between the sleeve 14 and the atmosphere. The apparatus is then ready for normal operation.

Upon the creation of a suction by the pumping means, the atmospheric pressure present inthe tank 10 causes the fuel to flow upwardly through the pipes 24 and 26, and the fuel isdischarged from the latter pipe into the sleeve 14 through the openings 36. From the sleeve 14, the fuel flows to the pump through the nipple 32 and pipe 34, and is dispensed from the pump 35 in the usual manner. Foreign material is always present in the fuel to a certain `extent regardless of any precaution which may be taken and the. pocket 35' collects -the foreign material.' Upon the completion of a pumping operation, the pock-- et 35' holds the sediment and thus prevents it from owing back into the tank through the foot valve. As previously stated, the.lowermost opening 36 is arranged above the nipple 32, thus preventing sediment from being drawn directly into the nipple 32 and permitting sediment to settle in the pocket 35'.' Moreover this construction prevents any Adownward flow of the sediment from the pocket 35 into the pipes 26 and 24. It is the collection of sediment in the foot valve seats which usually affects the operation of these elements, and the trapping of the sediment tends to protect the foot valve seats, thus rendering it seldom necessary to remove them for cleaning,

or replacement.

With the structures commonly employed, it is necessary to excavate the ground to gain access to the foot valves when trouble occurs with these elements. In the present instance, such excavation is unnecessary. When it is desired to remove the foot valve, the cap 39 is removed together with the plug 44 andassociated elements, whereupon the pipe 26 may be drawn upwardly for removal through the upper end of the sleeve l" 14,- together'with the head 27, seat 28, pipe 24 and foot valve 25. In this connection, it will be noted that the opening beneath the seat 19 is at least as large in diameter vas the foot valve to permit its removal therethrough. Thus it will be apparent that the foot valve readily may be removed and any desired operation performed thereon, whereupon it may be replaced and the apparatus again operated in the normal manner. The entire operation of removing and replacing the foot valve does not require over fteen minutes, andaccordingly the trouble and expense of excavating is eliminated, together with the loss of business to the wholesaler and retailer incident to the time lost in excavating.

As previously stated the upper face of the head 27 is arranged a substantial distance below the nipple 32 and the lowermost opening 36, and thus forms the bottom of a sediment trap. After each pumping operation, any sediment remaining in the sleeve 14 settles in the sediment trap, and thus is prevented from owing downwardly through the pipe` 24 to interfere with the operation of the foot valve. In view of the fact that the diameter of the head 27 issubstantially equal to the internal diameter of the sleeve 14, it will be apparent that the head acts as a plunger in the sleeve, and upon each removal of the foot valve in the manner described, the head 27 -car ries upwardly with it any, sediment which may have collected thereon, whereby such sediment may be removed. Before replacing the foot valve, the seats 19 and 28 are preferably wiped clean to insure perfect seating between these elements.

It will be obvious that the spring 47 normally .acts to retain the seats 19 and 28 in firm engagement, thus preventing any leakage of liquid back into the tank past the seats referredto, and the closing of the valves of the pump prevents the liquid in the sleeve 14 from fiowing back into the tank through the pipe 24. Thus it Will be apparent that a pressure head is retained above `.the head 27 to assist the spring 47 in maintain- -ing rm engagement between the seats 19 and 28.

As previously stated, the nut 46 is normally arranged slightly below the plug 44, thus permitting the spring 47 to transmit its full force to the upper end of the pipe 26 to maintain the lrm engagement between the seats 19 and 28. In assembling the device, the foot valve and the elements connected thereto are first inserted, whereupon the cap 39 is placed in position above the end of the sleeve 14 with the lower end of the plug 44 in the upperend of the pipe 26. When the cap 39-is then screwed downwardly the plug 44 serves to properly center the pipe 26, thus properly positioning the seats 19 and 28 with respect to each other.

In addition to serving as means for filling the tank and as means forming a part of the sediment vtrap or pocket 35' the sleeve 14 serves to provide a pressure head of liquid, thus adding additional weight tending to hold the foot valves on theirsseats, and therefore prevents leakage. The prevention of leakage at the point indicated is essential to the proper operation of the pump, and in the usual constructions, the sleeve 14 contains approximately three gallons vof gasoline, and accordingly'it will be apparent that a substantial pressure head is maintained.

It is to be understood that the form of the in'- that various changes in the shape, size and ar# rangement of parts may be resorted to without said casing near its lower end, a seat formed onsaid pipe and engaging the seat in said casing to form a leak-proof joint, said pipe being spaced a substantial distance from said casing throughout the portion of the pipe above said last named seat, an outlet pipe communicating with the casing a substantial distance above said seats, said rst named pipe communicating with said casing wholly above said outlet pipe. and a member closing and sealing the upper end of said casing and removable to permit withdrawal of saidrst named pipe through the upper end of said casing.

2. In a suction line assembly for storage tanks, a vertical casing having an open lower end secured to the top of the tank and communicating with the interior thereof, a pipe projecting downwardly into the tank through the lower end of said casing and having a foot valve at its lower end, said pipe having its upper end projecting upwardly into said casing a substantial distance above the lower end thereof, a seat formed in said casing near its lower end, a head carried by said pipe and provided with a seat on its lower face engaging said first named seat to form a leak-proof joint, said head corresponding in shape and size to the interior of said casing and provided with a horizontal upper face, said casing being of substantially uniform cross-sectional shape and size from said head to the upper end of said casing and spaced from the portion of said pipe above said head, an outlet pipe communicating with the casing a substantialI distance above said head, said iirst named pipe cornmunicating with said casing wholly above said outlet pipe, -and a member closing and sealing the upper end of said casing and removable to permit withdrawal of said first named pipe through the upper end of said casing.

3. In a suction line assembly for storage tanks, a vertical casing having an open lower end secured to the top of the tank and communicatingwith the interior thereof a pipe projecting downwardly into the tank through the lower end of said casing and having a foot valve at its lower end, said pipe having its upper end projecting upwardly into said casing a substantial distance above the lower end thereof, a seat formed in said casing near its lower end, a head formed on said pipe and having a seat formed on its lower face engageable with said flrst'named seat to form a leak-proof joint, said head being circular and having a horizontal upper face, said casing being cylindrical and of substantially greater diameter than said pipe from said head to the upper end of said casing and being of an internal diameter substantially equal to the diameter of said head, an outlet pipe communicating with said casing a substantial distance above said head, said rst named pipe being provided with a plurality of openings communicating with said casing, the lowermost opening being arranged wholly above said outlet pipe, and a member closing and sealing the upper end of said casing and removable to permit withdrawal of said rst named pipe through the upper end of said casing.

4. In a suction line assembly for storage tanks, a vertical casing secured at its lower end to the top of the tank and having open ends the lower of which communicates with the tank, a pipe projecting downwardly into the tank through the lower end of said casing and having a foot valve at its l'ower end, an internal annular seat formed in the casing, a head carried by the pipe and having a seat cooperating with said rst named seat to form a leak-proof joint therewith, the upper face of said head being substantially horizontal and of a diameter substantially equal to the internal diameter of said casing, said pipe communicating with said casing at a point spaced above said head, and a member closing and sealing` the upper end of said casing and removable to permit withdrawal of said pipe through the upper end of said casing, said casing having an outlet opening spaced above said head.

5. In a suction line assembly for storage tanks, a vertical casing secured at its lower end to the top of the tank and having open ends the lower of which communicates with the tank, a pipe projecting downwardly into the tank through the lower end of said casing and having a foot valve at its lower end, an internal annular seat formed in the casing, a head carried by the pipe and having a seat cooperating with said iirst named seat to form a leak-proof joint therewith, the upper face of said head being substantially horizontal and of a diameter substantially equal to the internal diameter of said casing, said pipe communicating with said casingfat a point spaced above said head, and a member closing and sealing the upper end of said casing and removable to permit withdrawal of said pipe through the upper end of said casing, said casing having an outlet opening spaced above said head.

6. Apparatus constructed in accordance with claim 5 wherein the seat in said casingis arranged at a point spaced above the lower end of said casing, and a vent pipe communicating with said casing beneath said seats.

7. In a suction line assembly for storage tanks, a vertical casing secured at its lower end to the top of the tank and having open ends the lower of which communicates with the tank, a pipe having its upper end arranged in said casing and its lower end projecting downwardly into the tank through the lower end of said casing and having a foot valve at its lower end, an internal annular seat'formed in the casing, a head carried by the pipe and having a seat cooperating with said first named seat to form a leak-proof joint therewith, the upper face of said head being substantially horizontal and of a .diameter substantially equal to the internal diameter of said casing, said pipe communicating with said casing at a point spaced above said head, a closure member sealing the upper end of said casing and removableto permit withdrawal of -said pipe through the upper end of said casing, and a membercarried by said closure 9. Apparatus constructed in accordance with claim 'l wherein said centering member comprises a rigid rod depending from said closure member,

and a slidable plug mounted on said rod andengageable in the upper end of said pipe, said plug being provided with an upper annular ange contacting with the upper extremity of said pipe, and spring means surrounding said rod and urging said plug downwardly.

10. Apparatus constructed-in accordance with claim 7 wherein the lower end of said casing is of greater diameter than said pipe and communicates with the tank, said seats being arranged a substantial distance above the lower extremity of saidcasing, and a vent pipe communieating with said casing beneath said seats.

1l. In a suction line assembly for storage tanks, a vertical casing secured at its lower end to the top of' the tank and having open ends the lower of which communicates with said tank, a pipe having its upper 'end arranged in said casing and its lower end projecting downwardly into the tank through the lower end of said casing and having a foot Valve at its lower end, said casing being of substantially greater diameter than said pipe, an internal annular seat formed in the casing near its lower end, a head carried by said pipe and having a seat therebeneath cooperating with said rst named seat to form a leak-proof joint, the upper face of said head being substantially horizontal and of a diameter substantially equal to the internal diameter of said casing, said pipe extending a substantial= distance above said head and provided with openings the lowermost of which is spaced a substantial distance above said head, an outlet pipe communicating with said casing a substantial distance above said head, and a closure member sealing the upper end of said casing and removable to permit` withdrawal of said pipe through the upper end of said casing, the greatest diameter of said pipe and said foot valve beneath said head being less than the internal diameter of the seat of said casing. 12. Apparatus constructed in accordance with claim 11 provided with means for maintaining said seats in operative engagement comprising a vertically slidable plug engaging in the upper end of said pipe and having an upper annular ange contacting with the upper extremity of the pipe, anda compression spring urging said plug downwardly.

13. In a suction line assembly for storage tanks, a vertical casing secured at its lower end to the top of the tank and having open ends the lower of which communicates with the tank, a pipe projecting downwardly into the tank through the lower end of said casing and having a lfoot valve at its lower end, the upper end of said pipe communicating with said casing, seats formed A 

